Press Releases

The City of Topeka has scheduled three public input sessions to gather community perspectives and priorities for the selection of Topeka’s next police chief. These in-person sessions will allow residents to share their ideas directly with the city manager. Interpretation services will be available. Details of the sessions are as follows:

Public Input Session #1

• Thursday, August 1, 2024
• 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, located at 1515 SW 10th Ave, Marvin Auditorium 101B

Public Input Session #2

• Friday, August 2, 2024
• 12 p.m. to 1 p.m.
• Cyrus K. Holliday Building, located at 620 SE Madison St, First Floor Conference room

Public Input Session #3

• Saturday, August 3, 2024
• 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.
• Hi-Crest CRC Care Center 455 SE Golf Park

The information gathered from the community survey and public input sessions will be used to update the job description for the police chief position. The selection process, led by an executive recruiter, will include several interview panels made up of councilmembers, law enforcement officials, and community members, media interviews and a public meet-and-greet before the final appointment of the new chief. Additional details on the meet-and-greet will be shared in the coming weeks.

“I am excited and hopeful as we embark on the selection process for Topeka’s next police chief,” said City Manager Robert Perez. “This must be a collaborative effort between the city and community, to ensure our next chief has department and community support and knows where to focus their energy. I have laid out an aggressive timeline for the selection, aiming to make the final appointment in late September or early October. I am confident this approach will help us select the best possible candidate for the job.”

The survey will close on August 2^nd.

Residents can access the survey at:

English Survey – https://us.openforms.com/Form/f84b9c2b-0e91-42b9-95c8-d2541e7dc54c

Encuesta en Español– https://us.openforms.com/Form/74814400-794c-44cd-9825-d903dd7476b8

The City of Topeka’s Governing Body selected Stephen Wade to serve as the next City Manager. Wade currently serves as the City’s Director of Administrative and Financial Services.

“Stephen’s experience in leadership roles in both the public and private sectors, and his vision for equity in government are some of the many reasons we selected him to lead the City of Topeka as our next City Manager,” said Topeka Mayor Michael Padilla.

Wade is a Shawnee Heights graduate and a Topeka resident. Prior to his role as the City’s Finance Director, he was the publisher of The Topeka Capital-Journal.

Wade holds a Masters in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Kansas and a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from the Florida Institute of Technology.

He is currently working on an academic research project that calls for a greater emphasis on equity in municipal budgeting.

Wade currently serves on the board of directors for the Topeka Community Foundation, and he previously held board seats on Go Topeka and the Greater Topeka Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s an honor to have the opportunity to serve in this role in the place I truly call home. I’m excited to represent our more than 1,000 City employees as we work to collectively make Topeka a better place to live, work and play,” Wade said. “I’ve pledged to the Governing Body that we will work with all neighborhoods and community members to ensure an atmosphere of fairness and equity.”

Topeka’s Governing Body approved Wade’s contract at Tuesday night’s City Council Meeting. The three-year contract includes Wade’s base salary, which will be $200,000.

Wade’s start date will be September 14, 2022 at 8:00 a.m.

On August 30, the City Manager finalists participated in interview panels with the Governing Body and community stakeholders. Wade was selected by the Governing Body out of a pool of more than 40 City Manager candidates from across the country. 13 candidates had ties to Kansas.

The City of Topeka is excited to announce the launch of the Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance Yard of the Month Program, beginning in June 2025. This initiative recognizes residents who take exceptional care of their yards, enhancing curb appeal and fostering a sense of
community pride.

The Office of Inclusive Communities (OIC) works to strengthen community connections by supporting programs and initiatives that encourage understanding, belonging, and inclusive practices across the community.

“This program is about more than just recognizing beautiful yards, it’s about fostering a sense of pride and belonging in every neighborhood, said Director of Inclusive Communities Monique Glaudeˊ. “A well-maintained yard can uplift an entire community, creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all residents. By celebrating these efforts, we’re reinforcing the idea that every home, no matter the size or
location, has the potential to contribute positively to Topeka’s vibrancy and charm.”

Each month, one outstanding yard will be selected and recognized for its landscaping, maintenance,
creativity, and sustainability. The winning yard will proudly display the Yard of the Month sign and
receive special recognition from the City of Topeka. The Yard of the Month program aims to inspire residents to take pride in their properties, contributing to a cleaner, more beautiful Topeka. The City encourages all residents to participate by nominating
deserving yards and maintaining their own properties with care and creativity.

To nominate a yard, visit: https://forms.gle/ZZzp9rfHrtnZhTrk8

Para el formulario en español:
https://forms.gle/GsBvF7xoeMYWzC7L6

The City of Topeka is inviting community members to participate in the selection process for the next police chief by providing their input through a public survey and public input sessions.

The survey seeks to gather input on the qualities and priorities that citizens believe are most important for the next police chief. This feedback will play an important role in guiding the selection process and ensuring that the selected candidate aligns with the values and expectations of Topeka’s residents.

This is the first step in the selection process and will be followed by a series of public input sessions. Details on those sessions will be shared in the coming weeks.

“Selecting our next police chief is a critical decision that will impact the safety and well-being of our community,” said City Manager Robert Perez. “We want to ensure the selection process is transparent and inclusive, giving community members multiple opportunities to participate and share their perspectives.”

The survey will be open for two weeks and will close on August 2nd.

Residents can access the survey on our website at:

English Survey – https://us.openforms.com/Form/f84b9c2b-0e91-42b9-95c8-d2541e7dc54c

Encuesta en Español– https://us.openforms.com/Form/74814400-794c-44cd-9825-d903dd7476b8

Flushing a system varies based on the size of a building. Generally, customers should turn on all indoor faucets in their home or business for 10-15 minutes to flush approximately 40 gallons of water through their system. Due to outdoor weather conditions, consider using only indoor faucets like sinks, tubs, toilets and other washing appliances. Regular water use habits, like taking a shower or doing laundry are also effective methods of flushing. For homes or businesses with larger water heaters, flush for an additional 10-15 minutes.

Additional guidance on flushing procedures are laid out by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) here: https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/…/Flushing-Interior-Plumbing…

The City of Topeka is assisting 18 residents after the discovery of unsanitary conditions and a carbon monoxide leak at an apartment building on Wednesday afternoon in East Topeka.

On August 7, 2024, just before 1 p.m., crews from the Topeka Fire Department (TFD) responded to a reported chemical odor at a residential building located at 313 SE Lime St. Upon arrival, firefighters measured unsafe levels of carbon monoxide and immediately notified the Kansas Gas Service and the Topeka Police Department’s Property Maintenance Unit (PMU). Two juveniles were transported to a local hospital by medical personnel to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

As a result of PMU’s investigation, raw sewage was found and four apartments have been condemned. This is an ongoing investigation.

The City of Topeka’s Housing Services Division responded and is working with the affected residents to provide relocation assistance.

The City of Topeka has been selected to receive more than $1.72 million in federal funding for pedestrian and bike-friendly improvements, Governor Laura Kelly announced today.

The City was selected for Transportation Alternatives (TA) funding that would help advance implementation of the major project priorities contained in the Topeka Bikeways Master Plan’s supplemental plan recently approved by the Metropolitan Topeka Planning Organization (MTPO) policy
board. The recommendations for these streets will help with the safety and comfort of the bike user and create an alternative mode of transportation.

The projects submitted in the TA application include the following locations:
• SW 5th Street – From Washburn to SE 4th Street
• SW 4th Street/Willow Avenue – From Washburn to Kansas Avenue
• SE Adams Street – From SE 10th Avenue to SE 1st Street

“Currently, the streets that have been selected are designed for vehicular traffic only and pose a safety concern to bicyclists trying to use our streets to get across the city,” said Assistant City Manager Braxton Copley. “These projects will help connect existing and future bikeways to Downtown.”
The City of Topeka’s project was one of 31 Kansas projects selected.

The City of Topeka’s Housing Services Division has been awarded a $4 million Lead Hazard Reduction Grant, which will be distributed from November 15, 2024, through November 15, 2028. These funds will be used to expand the division’s rehabilitation programs to address and mitigate
lead hazards, with the goal of making an estimated 180 homes lead-safe for families.

The grant will focus on 16 census tracts identified as disadvantaged and below 80% of the low-tomoderate income (LMI) level, as outlined on the City of Topeka’s Justice 40 map. It is anticipated that 90% of approved applicants will be families with children under the age of six, ensuring that the program directly benefits those most at risk for lead exposure.

“We are thrilled to receive this grant, which will allow us to protect Topeka’s most vulnerable residents
by making homes safer for young children,” said Carrie Higgins, Housing Services Division Director. “By
addressing lead hazards in older homes, we can prevent lead poisoning and create healthier living
environments for families in our community.”

This initiative reflects the city’s commitment to improving overall community health by targeting lead
hazards in homes located within historically disadvantaged areas. The Housing Services Division will use
the grant to enhance its existing rehabilitation programs, focusing on homes in need of lead remediation
and ensuring that LMI families, especially those with young children, have access to safe and secure
housing.

Through collaboration with local partners, the program will also provide educational resources to help
families and property owners understand the risks of lead exposure and how they can maintain safe
living conditions

The City of Topeka is proud to announce it has been awarded a United States Department of Justice (DOJ) grant to provide a batterers intervention treatment program to Topeka residents.

The Office on Violence Against Women (OVW) has awarded the Grants to Improve the Criminal Justice Reform (ICJR) totaling $488,045 to facilitate batterers intervention treatment through local service providers Halley Counseling Services and the Family Peace Initiative.

In 2022, the City Prosecutor’s Office assumed responsibility for handling misdemeanor domestic battery cases, aiming to offer a more personalized approach at helping victims and their families in domestic violence situations. The ICJR will enable the prosecutor’s office to extend assistance to eligible offenders who lack the financial means to participate in intervention programs, ensuring accountability in their sentencing.

“This grant represents a significant step forward in our efforts to address domestic violence in our community,” said Chief of Prosecution Kelly Trussell. “By providing access to intervention programs, we are better equipped to support both victims and offenders, fostering safer and healthier environments for residents and stopping the cycle of violence.”

The OVW, a division of the DOJ, administers grant programs aimed to develop the nation’s ability to reduce domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault and stalking by strengthening services to victims and holding offenders accountable.

Read more about the OVW’s Grants to Improve Criminal Justice Response here: https://www.justice.gov/ovw/improving-criminal-justice-responses-program

The City of Topeka announced Tuesday that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) will award the city a grant to help spread awareness and increase participation in the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP).

The ACP provides qualifying households with a discount on broadband, and a one-time discount on connected devices. Qualifying households are eligible for a discount of up to $30 per month on internet service and up to $100 to purchase a laptop, desktop computer or tablet from participating providers. To learn more about the ACP and to apply, visit https://www.fcc.gov/acp.

The city will use its grant funding to advertise the ACP over the next two years through a robust marketing and advertising campaign that includes the use of social media, traditional media, flyers, infographics, standing banners, mailers, a video, and community education events in partnership with the FCC.

Of the $66 million total funds allocated by the FCC, the city will receive just over $90,000. The city is one of two organizations in Kansas to receive the grant. To learn more about the grant awardees, read the FCC announcement at https://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-announces-66m-affordable-broadband-outreach-grants.

The ACP is funded under the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (Infrastructure Act). The city’s grant period begins on March 30, 2023 and ends in March of 2025.

The city is dedicated to spreading awareness of digital equity, and currently administers the Topeka and Shawnee County Get Digital program (TSC – Get Digital), alongside various community partners. TSC – Get Digital provides affordable and equitable access to computer and internet equipment and services, along with technical support, training opportunities, and digital literacy services for low and moderate-income individuals and families. To date, TSC – Get Digital has distributed more than 600 desktop computers to qualifying 60+ Topekans. You can learn more about TSC – Get Digital by visiting https://www.topeka.org/tscgetdigital/.